Anger at church vandalism

LOCAL historian and church official Geoff Wellens, is calling for the return of stocks to publicly humiliate vandals.

DAVID Brennan on the roof of St Leonard’s with one of the vandalised ancient windows.

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LOCAL historian and church official Geoff Wellens, is calling for the return of stocks to publicly humiliate vandals.

He has been angered by a weekend incident in which priceless medieval stained glass windows at Middleton Parish Church, St Leonard's were damaged and which will cost many thousands of pounds to repair.

He said the Parish Church was dedicated 900 years ago, when the Normans ruled the area, to the French St Leonard, the patron saint of prisoners. Leonard is depicted in the stained glass window in the Langley Chapel holding chains. "Those chains could be put to good use today," said Mr Wellens, who is a deputy church warden.

He said that on Saturday a group of youths were seen on the church roof and thanks to a local resident the police managed to arrest them. But it wasn't until Sunday morning that the full extent of the damage was discovered. Two stained glass windows were vandalised and will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Mr Wellens said that in parish records and church wardens' reports going back several hundred years, mention is made of alleviating poverty, of numerous deaths during two years of famine, of bounty money paid to anyone with killed otters or hedgehogs (deemed pests in those days) and of repairs and rebuilds.

"But nowhere is vandalism mentioned," he said. "For this we had to wait until the 1970's. Admired by people from all over the, this wonderful old building that came unscathed through the Civil War and two World Wars, has since been systematically stripped of its lead roof, and continually damaged by spates of mindless vandalism.

"I hope those responsible for this mindless vandalism are convicted and made to repay the enormous cost of repairs. In addition, bring back St Leonard and his chains and shackle these criminals, for that is what they are, in replica stocks by the south gate of the churchyard.

"A few well aimed rotten vegetables and the humiliation that goes with this form of punishment may just be the answer."

The head of Middleton police, Inspector Gary Leversedge said police had attended the church after reports of youths on the roof.

"Three juveniles - aged 11, 13 and 14 - were detained on suspicion of damage - and have since been bailed for further enquiries to be made," he said.